Deseret News
What’s it like being gymnasts of color at the University of Utah?
A third of the 2020-21 Utah team are racial minorities Cammy Hall, Cristal Isa, Jaedyn Rucker and Alani Sabado
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Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
When the 2020-21 NCAA women’s gymnastics championships kick off Friday morning in Fort Worth, Texas, more than a few noteworthy competitors will be people of color.
When healthy, Florida’s Trinity Thomas is inarguably the best gymnast competing at the collegiate level. Denver’s Lynnzee Brown triggered the rise of the Pioneers’ program and will be competing for the all-around title. Michigan’s Sierra Brooks, LSU’s Haleigh Bryant, Minnesota’s Mya Hooten, Alabama’s Luisa Blanco, Utah’s Cristal Isa and Cal’s Kyana George each are vital contributors on title-contending teams. And who can forget UCLA’s Chae Campbell and Nia Dennis, both of whom have had performances on floor go viral on social media this year.
The American Legion
Apr 14, 2021
Thanks to the generosity of a local attorney, and a collaboration between the American Legion Department of Indiana and Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation (HVAF), a formerly homeless veteran now has a vehicle all his own.
On April 9, Marine Corps veteran Steve Griffin was presented a car by Department Commander Allen Connelly at the Indiana American Legion’s headquarters in Lawrence. The donation came as a result of an individual reaching out to Billy Johnson, who is in charge of business development for the American Legion Department of Indiana.
Johnson said Indianapolis attorney Kevin Alerding, who Johnson taught during ROTC classes at Ball State University, reached out to him to see if he knew of any veterans in need of a used vehicle. The department took the donated vehicle through its Legacy Foundation, which was created to identify the unmet needs of U.S. military personnel, veterans and their families, and provide the necessary resou
Marine veteran Steve Griffin lives at Helping Veterans and Families transitional housing and works at the VA.
Credit: Helping Veterans and Families
Marine veteran Steve Griffin receiving a car. Author: WTHR.com staff Updated: 3:50 PM EDT April 9, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS Marine veteran Steve Griffin got a very special surprise on Friday. Griffin was surprised with a car at the American Legion Department of Indiana in Lawrence.
Griffin lives at Helping Veterans and Families transitional housing and works at the VA. One of the case managers at Helping Veterans and Families is helping him find a permanent home and receive his veteran benefits.
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Utah Highway Patrol trooper Geri Tew looks for distracted drivers along I-15 near Lehi on Thursday, April 8, 2021. The UHP and 20 other agencies will conduct a statewide distracted driver blitz through Monday morning, with the main focus in Salt Lake and Utah counties. Police in marked patrol cars, unmarked vehicles and motorcycles will be patrolling both the freeways and side streets.
Steve Griffin, Deseret News
Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Wade Breur has seen just about everything when it comes to distracted drivers, from people putting on makeup to eating while driving.
“Like balancing their whole meal in front of them. One time I saw an individual using a bowl of cereal, like balancing it between their knees while driving down the road, eating it while they’re steering with their knees with this bowl of cereal in front of them,” he said.
Deseret News
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Steve Griffin, Deseret News
Networking and job searching have changed in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped Utah’s universities from adapting to the challenge of connecting and guiding their students and graduates to employment opportunities.
“I do think those students that are very intentional and, for lack of a better word, aggressive about pursuing the beginning of their career are still finding the opportunities in the state. The opportunities are out there,” said Preston Nielson, University of Utah associate director of outreach and engagement.
Be it an internship that leads to a career upon graduation or gives a student work experience in their field, or outright job offers upon graduation, the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic cast a large shadow over the future of many graduates in 2020 and 2021.